Thread: What do you use to hold the blank while drilling?

This is a pretty cheap option.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=97838

I usually use the lathe, being a control freak I sometimes hold it by hand which has resulted in many interesting scars, but I also have some blocks in varying hights that I stack up as needed and use as a guide.

I, too, have a benchtop drill press. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. After many a frustrating day trying to drill straight, I finally broke down and bought one of those pen maker's vises. They are around $40 at Woodcraft. Since both jaws come together at the same time, it always finds the center of the blank regardless of the size. Once it set up, that is. I wish I bought one sooner. It makes life easier.

To set it up, I chucked up a large drill bit and clamped the pen vise to it. I ran it down until it hit the bed and clamped it securely. I then released the drill bit from the vise allowing the drill to retract. Viola! Center.

G'day Tom,

I use one of these:



9in Hold-Down Clamp - HDC-300
• Locking plier-style handle provides big clamping pressure • Combine for use on drill press to suit all jobs – including holding metals • 80mm reach to work piece • Will go through tables up to 35mm thick • Includes fastening eye-nut
Qty: $29.90 inc GST

Got it from Timbecon in Perth. Easy to attach, easy to use, and rock solid.

Cheers,
Adam

Tom

I am using this from Rockler

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18062&filter=pen%20vice

also there is a good unit from Paul Huffman but a long waiting list.

www.phdesigned.com

I saw this somewhere (don't remember where) and thought it looked like it would be easy and cheap to make.

If you are real handy, make your own, but if you want something good at a reasonable price, the Self centering pen vice from harbour freight or woodcraft is the way to go. Amos

Pin jaws and a Jacobs chuck. Don't have a drill press.

I made up a little jig of a 6x6 plate (pine) and two pieces standing up
at 90 degree angles so everything is square. Then I put the blank in
a 'corner' and clamp it on two axis.

(pic enclosed.. I didn't line this one up right. LOL )

Probably easier methods out there, but I didn't want to buy something
when I was just starting.. and it works, so why buy one now?

I built a jig.

If you go here: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~pwguild/ and click on tools and tips and then drill press jig you'll see the one I made. I found that the cams don't hold well enough and I just use a clamp. I think one of the self centring vises would be a bit better but this was cheaper.

Peter

I use my lathe, clamp the blank in the chuck, then I have made up a guide for the drill, that keeps it center in the blank as you push it in.
I will take a photo of it tomorrow and post it here.

Bill Parker

Spot on Bill, the lathe is the way to go. Foolproof.

Originally Posted by schaf

Spot on Bill, the lathe is the way to go. Foolproof.

Update: They have now invented a new, improved fool.

Originally Posted by schaf

Spot on Bill, the lathe is the way to go. Foolproof.

Originally Posted by NewLondon88

Update: They have now invented a new, improved fool.

you called